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Left Behind
Sandy Miller,
Latest News,
Best Friends News,
Best Friends Animal Society [ 16 April 2008 ]
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Pets feel the pinch
Sandra Moyer,
The Intelligencer,
phillyBurbs.com, Calkins Media Incorporated
[ 9 April 2008 ]
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Pets and Foreclosures: Frequently Asked Questions
Pets Related News and Events,
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
[ 25 March 2008 ]
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The HSUS Launches Grant Program to Help Families Care for Pets Through Tough Financial Times
Pets Related News and Events,
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
[ 24 March 2008 ]
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Foreclosure Victims Urged to Remember Pets When Relocating
Disasters Latest News,
HSUS Disaster Center,
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
[ 7 January 2008 ]
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Delinquent Homeowners Ditching Dogs
Regina Frau,
The Daily Biscuit: All About Dogs,
Reader Blogs, seattlepi.com,
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
[ 1 December 2007 ]
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Pets & Foreclosure:
The Problem
The subprime fiasco and commensurate “credit crunch” have
affected us all in one way or another. The number of families
experiencing difficulty in meeting their mortgage obligations will
continue to rise as balloon payments kick in over the next two years.
Foreclosures have already reached alarming levels in parts of the U.S.
In some California cities it is not uncommon to see entire blocks
of homes in foreclosure, standing silently unoccupied. Alas, not
all of these foreclosure homes are silent. Barks, whimpers and other
tiny cries for help can all too often be heard emanating from
behind stoic walls.
A family in foreclosure may have few available options. Unless an
arrangement can be reached with the leinholder, the residents may find
themselves forced to vacate. When this happens, relatives or friends
may come to the aid of the unfortunate human inhabitants, who may
otherwise find it necessary to rent a small apartment. There may be
no place in such a circumstance for the formerly cherished family pets.
While options do exist for pets in crises such as these, the trauma
inflicted upon pet owners by the prospect of losing the home may lead to
a decision unfathomable to many of us — ABANDONMENT.
This predicament is beginning to receive media attention. However, the
mainstream media have been slow to pick up the torch on the issue of
animal abandonment. Most news items on the topic have been posted by
bloggers, the majority of whom are sympathetic to the plight of pets
abandoned by owners. The Humane Society of the United States
(HSUS) has issued a
press release relating to pets and foreclosure and
has initiated a grant program to provide local animal shelters and
animal rescue groups with funds to assist families facing a foreclosure
or financial crisis in caring for their pets.
The law creates confusion as to what can be done for abandoned animals in need.
Because in most U.S. states pets are considered property, some
leinholders direct property managers to refrain from feeding and
watering pets left behind. Fortunately, compassionate realtors regularly
ignore this misguided instruction and do provide food and water for the
distressed animals. However, these individuals cannot legally remove
an animal from a home.
Fortunately, animal neglect and cruelty laws enable local enforcement
officials to rescue and remove animals whose lives or welfare are
threatened. These officials, be they police officers, firefighters or
animal protection workers, frequently operate hand-in-hand with local
animal shelters and local and regional animal rescue groups to rescue,
provide medical attention, shelter and rehome abandoned pets. Sadly,
when owners vacate without notice, rescuers may be unable to save
animals left for days or weeks without food and water and heat or air
conditioning.
Foreclosure Tips for Pet Owners
If you are a pet owner who may be facing foreclosure and possible
eviction, what can you do to keep your pets safe and in good care?
First, plan ahead. Work up a family budget; know what your
expenditures are and when the money will run out. Reduce frivilous and
unnecessary expenditures and actively seek ways to cut costs. Be sure to
involve your entire family in the process.
Next, be preemptive — negotiate! Do not be afraid to talk to your
lender about your financial situation, whether or not they have a
local office and preferably before the situation gets out of hand.
Foreclosure is a huge headache for a leinholder; an unoccupied
property represents a serious liability. Even if you cannot pay your
entire mortgage each month, you may be able to negotiate a reduced
payment and still be entitled to remain in the home. If you are
employed and your credit is good, you may be able to refinance.
Should you consider yourself to be under imminent threat of foreclosure, do
not panic! Know that foreclosure is not an immediate process —
it takes time. Doing everything you can to forestall the process may give
you added weeks or months in your home, with the possibility that your
situation may improve and foreclosure will no longer be necessary.
Finally, investigate pet rescue resources. Relatives or friends may be
willing to care for one or more of your pets. This is by far the most
desirable choice because you know where your pet is, can visit your pet,
and might even be able to reclaim your pet when things get better. (If
you wish to have your pet returned to you, be sure the temporary caregiver
knows this up front and be prepared to assist in paying for food, vet
bills, etc.) Do not, however, leave your pet in the care of
someone who knows nothing about caring for the type of pet you own, does
not have the resources to do so, or who does not truly wish to accept the
responsibility of caring for that pet, no matter how well-meaning they
may be.
Ask your local veterinarian whether he or she knows someone they can vouch
for who may have recently lost a pet and is looking for another. By
virtue of their profession, vets are in constant contact with people who
love animals. Some veterinarians actively assist in finding adoptive
homes for pets in need.
Surrendering your pet to a pet rescue or pet adoption agency is your next
option. Because rescues are generally established to aid abandoned pets,
you may find yourself being asked to pay a surrender fee. This is not
unusual, and helps to defray costs associated with sheltering your pet
and providing veterinary care while it awaits adoption. Providing a
written record of your pet’s vaccination history (shot record)
from your veterinarian will greatly assist the adoption agency,
which will also likely request that you complete a questionnaire about
your pet. Make sure the animal rescue to which you surrender your pet
is licensed by the state or has other verifiable credentials, and do
not be afraid to ask to inspect the facilities in which your pet will be
housed. Bear in mind that many rescues utilize volunteer foster families
to care for pets awaiting adoption to permanent homes. Rescues do not
euthanize animals except in cases of pain and suffering or extreme
aggressive behavior disorders.
Your final option is to take your pet to an animal shelter. In this
event, you must make absolutely certain that you are delivering your
pet to a “no kill” shelter. Without this assurance, it is
quite likely that your pet will be euthanized if it is not adopted
within a short span of time. Also, potential adopters are not screened
nearly as well by animal shelters as they are by animal rescue agencies.
Know too that shelters with a “no kill” policy may not be
able to accept your pet due to limited facilities.
Above all, remember that foreclosure, like bankruptcy, is a last resort.
Don’t your family and your pets deserve better?
References:
Authored by Kenneth L. Anderson.
Original article published 9 April 2008.
Follow links to the right to learn more about pet abandonment amid the rigors of foreclosure.
At the left margin, Related Links address topics of interest
pertaining to locating a pet, protecting your
pet’s well-being and health, and maximizing your pet’s quality
of life. If you desire to become a pet owner, check out
Pet
Adoption & Rescue. If you already own a pet, you may be
especially interested in
Pet
Care & Pet Health and
Pet
Products & Supplies. View the
Pet Safety SiteMap
for a complete list of pet safety topics.
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